Privacy Policy
How we collect, use and protect your personal data.
What We Collect
We collect personal information that you provide when booking a trip, creating an account, or contacting us. This may include your name, email address, phone number, date of birth, passport details (when required for travel arrangements), dietary requirements, emergency contact details and payment information. We also collect technical data such as your IP address, browser type and pages visited when you use our website.
How We Use It
We use your personal data to process bookings and payments, communicate trip details and updates, provide customer support, send marketing communications (with your consent), comply with legal obligations and improve our services. We process your data on the basis of contractual necessity (to fulfil your booking), legitimate interest (to improve our services) and consent (for marketing communications).
Who We Share With
We share your data only with trusted third parties who help us deliver our services. These include Stripe (payment processing), Firebase/Google Cloud (authentication and data storage), TravelReady (our sister visa guidance service, where you opt in), accommodation and activity providers at your destination, and any relevant authorities where required by law. We do not sell your personal data to third parties.
Your Rights
Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to access your personal data, rectify inaccurate data, erase your data (where there is no legal basis for continued processing), restrict processing, data portability, object to processing and withdraw consent at any time. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at hello@travelbuddytrips.com. We will respond within 30 days.
Cookies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to provide core functionality (such as keeping you logged in), analyse site usage and improve your experience. Essential cookies are required for the website to function. Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use our site. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. For more information, please contact us.
Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy legal, accounting or reporting requirements. Booking records are retained for 7 years in accordance with UK tax regulations. You may request deletion of your account and personal data at any time, subject to our legal obligations.
Contact for Privacy
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact our data controller at hello@travelbuddytrips.com. If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).